Manitou has launched three new large-frame skid steers as well as two large frame compact track loaders
Manitou approached the design of its new large frame skid steers and compact track loaders (CTLs) as an opportunity to go toe-to-toe with other large-frame machines in the construction industry.
The company recently introduced three large-frame skids steers and two large frame CTLs ranging in operating capacity from 1,475 kg to 1,635 kg.
“At the high end of this range, we are going head-to-head with the largest, most powerful machines in the industry,” said Nathan Ryan, Global Product Manager — skid steers and CTLs at Manitou.
Ryan explained the large frame skid steers and CTLs meets the need for more power and capacity while maintaining a compact machine footprint. Stepping into a larger type of machine can create challenges in terms of transportation and access.
“That’s why we look at making skid steer and compact track loaders bigger and better, because the operators are familiar with them. The transportation is easier, and you have better machine access, plus, obviously, you have a wider variety of attachment capabilities,” he said.
The new large frame lineup includes the 72-hp 3250 V, 100-hp 3350 V and 114-hp 3600 V skid steers and the 100-hp 3350 VT and 3600 VT compact track loaders.
“These five new models represent the best of Manitou global innovation matched with North American craftsmanship — from an engineering and design team that has built skid steers and CTLs in South Dakota for more than 50 years,” said Ilmars Nartish, Vice President — North America, Manitou. “We now offer even more of an end-to-end solution for rental businesses, large fleets and national accounts, and other businesses that prefer working with a single supplier as much as possible.”
Bigger machine, bigger performance
Each new machine is built with a vertical lift design that is optimized for truck loading, as well as lifting and placing palletized materials. Strong cast links, built standard into each model, also make the new compact loaders ideal for ground engaging applications and ensuring they work well as a strong attachment platform.
Hinge pin heights range up to 3.5 metres to make these machines ideal for loading and reaching into high trucks and lifting or placing materials to higher points.
Rated operating capacities are further increased up to 1,723 kg with the addition of optional counterweights that serve as protective guarding for the rear of the machine. As well, load sensing hydraulics help the machine determine the amount of hydraulic load required for each job, which improves performance and fuel economy.
Each machine excels in auxiliary attachment use and performance, with both standard flow rates (up to 95 litres per minute and 3,450 psi) and high flow rates (151 litres per minute up to 3,450 psi).
Variable rate flow controls that allow operators to set the flow going to each attachment are standard. This dictates optimal performance of the attachment and ensures only the necessary amount of energy is consumed to operate it. Hydraulic horsepower on each machine — 50.3 hp standard and 82 hp with the optional boost —ensures overall machine performance and attachment performance.
All-new design
The Manitou design and engineering team worked to incorporate existing Manitou exclusive technologies such as the IdealTrax track-tensioning system and IdealAccess foldable door with all-new design features that deliver practical benefits to machine operation and performance.
IdealTrax, which automatically tensions the track to its desired tension upon startup and relieves that tension when the machine is turned off, now engages directly through the in-cab display, instead of the back of the machine in previous models.
A unique and ultra-modern lift-arm design slopes away from the operator at the top of the arm and allows for hydraulic lines to run inside of the arm or underneath it for greater protection.
The unique contouring of the arms also prevents material from building up on the machine and improves visibility for the operator down to the side of the machine. Comfort ride control (boom suspension) is now standard and incorporated into the design, which reduces spillage and improves operator comfort. The new skid steer models feature an adjustable arm downstop to accommodate different tire sizes depending on the application.
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Each arm is designed with strong cast steel timing links that improve everything from attachment carrying and operation to ground engaging bucket work while reducing stress on the machine.
“These innovative patent pending lift arms are designed to slope away from the machine where the operator sits inside the cab,” said Tyler Handel, Research and Development Director at Manitou. “This reduces the amount of material that can get stuck on the lift arm, and, most importantly, it improves the visibility, both above and below the lift arm.”
Greaseable pins are also located along the lift arm for easy access and improved service.
Each machine comes standard with a sloped roof and large skylight that minimizes the front upper cross section for better visibility when loading trucks, feed mixers or placing materials at height. An optional Level 2 FOPS improves the protection of the cab and provides a robust protective bracket for the machine’s front LED work lights.
360-degree illumination
Lighting plays an important role in the new design, with 360-degree illumination available, along with the option to add a beacon on top of the machine for greater jobsite awareness. This includes the standard rear LED position lights, turn signals and front work lights, as well as optional road lights, hazard lights and optional side lights tucked under the lift arm. The front worklights even feature an egress time delay to ensure safety around the machine in lowlight conditions.
“These machines work 24 hours a day, on the side of the road, on busy and congested jobsites — the ability to be seen is almost as important as the ability to see for overall jobsite awareness and safety,” Ryan said.
The undercarriage of each tracked model has also undergone over a major redesign for improved performance and durability. This includes steel forged hardened sprockets with a corrosion inhibitor for longer sprocket life; dual flange idlers in both the front and rear to prevent de-tracking, reduce vibration and reduce service over time; and triple flange rollers to reduce vibration, prevent de-tracking and limit spills.
Feature standardization
A central focus of the introduction of the new large-frame lineup was the addition of a considerably more robust set of standard features, aimed at simplifying the ordering process and delivering a more premium owning and operating experience.
Standard features include a foot pedal for both throttle and deceleration, cabin dome lights, 12V and USB charging ports with device storage areas and removable rubber floor mats that include a drain that goes
through to the bottom of the machine for easy clean out.
The cab is large and spacious with an adjustable workstation that allows each operator to adjust their orientation in the cab to their preference. This includes pilot joysticks attached to the seat to move with the operator, a seat and armrests that adjust independently based on operator preference, and a removable footrest for comfort and bracing. Options include a fully enclosed cab with full environmental controls, multiple seat options including heating, Bluetooth radio, a sound reduction package and Manitou’s Hydraulic Power-A-Tach system that allows for the quick and easy swapping of attachments from inside the cab.
“Each of these machines features patented pilot controls that are mounted to the seat assembly to provide ergonomic access to the controls, no matter where you sit in the cab,” Handel said.
“We know these machines operate in a lot of difficult and tough terrains and environments, so we wanted to ensure that we provided the operator with a comfortable operating experience. A lot of these creature comforts and things may otherwise be considered bells and whistles, but we felt these were critical to these machines.”
The new large-frame skid machines also feature a new 18-cm colour display that intuitively displays critical machine settings, engine information, service intervals and other machine information critical to daily use. An all-new backlit ergonomic keypad on the right-hand side of the cab delivers new features such as a coded keyless start, lights and HVAC controls. It also includes Manitou’s smart throttle that senses the input speed and adjusts the acceleration rate — and it always starts at low idle for safety and fuel efficiency. Optional creep mode is additionally controlled through this keypad and the monitor, which allows the operator to independently set machine travel speeds from the engine throttle.
Lower TCO
Service is made simple through intelligent engine compartment design and easy access to daily service checks and fill points. The tilt-up hydraulic cooler serves a double purpose of enabling a low profile to improve visibility to the rear of the machine and allowing for improved access to service points in the engine compartment while discouraging the build-up of jobsite dust and debris. That cooling fan comes with optional reversing capabilities – either at scheduled intervals or on-demand – to improve cooling performance and to keep the engine compartment clear of debris.
These new large-frame loaders are Manitou Connected machines that provide instant remote access to recent activity, operation codes, CAN data and service alerts. Owners/operators stay connected on-the-go with the myManitou mobile app, where they can monitor machine location, fuel levels, operating hours and set geofences for added control and security.
For fleet and business management, EasyManager tracks service intervals, pinpoint machine locations and quickly identify diagnostic codes, all from one centralized platform.
“We look at a total cost of ownership as a compounding benefit,” said Josè Carlos Braga Vasquez, Manitou’s Technical Training Specialist.
“There are numerous things that you can do to get most of each machine, but when you combine those many things together, you can significantly lower your operating costs and increase your revenue.”
